Senior George French, the Elder (b. September 19, 1775, d. May 24, 1857)
George French, the Elder (son of John French, the Elder and Maria Barbara)17 was born September 19, 1775 in Chansford Township, York County, Pennsylvania, and died May 24, 1857 in Bear Branch, Pike Township, Ohio County, Indiana. He married Sarah McBride on March 5, 1809 in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania.
Notes for George French, the Elder: From "History of Dearborn, Ohio and Switzerland Counties, IN 1885." [Pike Township - Ohio County] "Other pioneers of the township, who had located here between sixty and seventy years ago, can be recalled George French and family (Pennsylvanians), Samuel Cunningham and family, Peter Bear (a Virginian) and family, John and Elisha Clark (from Ohio here) and families, Norman Sloan and family, Benjamin Locks and family, Jeremiah Folsom and family, Ebenezer Phelps and family, and a Mr. Walson, all of whom lived in and about what is called Freedom; along Laughery Creek, lived Samuel Graham, John Lyons, Isaac Bisby, some of the Purcell's and a man by the name of Spears, all men with families; and on Bear Creek, lived Benjamin Dulph and family. These men were all in the strictest sense pioneers, clearing up and improving farms, and otherwise identified in the township's history."
"In the early settlement in the southern part of the township, a class of Methodists was accustomed to worship at the residence of George French, who was a class-leader. This denomination, we believe, has never erected a meeting-house of their own in the township."
[Pike Township, Ohio Co., IN; Freedom, or Cole's Corners] "This consists of a little cluster of houses located along the highway where two country roads cross, in the southern part of the township, where is a post office, and some little business. The post office was first established on Bear Creek, under the name of Bear Branch, with Henry A. Downey, once a prominent lawyer of Vevay, as postmaster..."
The grave of George French is located on the farm of Erwin Iceberg which is located about a mile north of Bear Branch, Indiana. The broken stone lies in the pasture behind the building of the farm.
He was baptized on 15 Oct. 1775 at the Saint Lukes Union Congregation in Chanceford Township in York County, Pennsylvania.
George French appears to have married at least twice. The identity of his first wife is unknown but he fathered at least five children. She probably died some time between March 24, 1805 and May 5, 1809. This is when we find a record of George French's marriage to Sarah McBride.[1463803.ged]
George found from article by Ray Novak in Ohio Co. News June 12 1980 George Fr ench I have found on census: 1820 Dearborn Co. IN 310001/2101 1830 Dearborn C o. IN 02110001/0002001 1840 Dearborn Co. IN 000200001/011002 1850 Ohio Co. IN - - Is this George ?? 640/658 Charles French-75-PA-farmer Sarah-63-PA
More About George French, the Elder: Bap./Chr.: October 1, 1775, Chansford Township, York County, Pennsylvania. Baptism 1: October 15, 1775, Saint Lukes Union Congregation/ Chansford Township, York County, Pennsylvania. Baptism 2: October 15, 1775, Stehli's (St. Lukes) Union Church.18 Date born 2: September 19, 1775, Chanceford Twp. York Co. PA.18 Burial 1: Abt. May 25, 1857, Irwin Iceberg's Farm/ Bear Branch, Pike Township, Ohio County, Indiana. Burial 2: Iceburg Farm, Bear Branch IN.19, 20 Died 2: May 24, 1857, Bear Branch, Ohio Co. IN.20 Religion: Methodist .
More About George French, the Elder and Sarah McBride: Marriage 1: March 5, 1809, Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Marriage 2: March 5, 1809, Huntingdon Co. PA.21, 22
Children of George French, the Elder and Sarah McBride are:
+George French, the Younger, b. September 22, 1811, Dearborn, Dearborn County, Indiana, d. March 29, 1880, Postville, Post Township, Allamakee County, Iowa.
Senior George French, the Elder (b. September 19, 1775, d. May 24, 1857)
Notes for George French, the Elder: